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Minnesota Players Create Wild Excitement

It was a hat trick type of a day in the St. Paul Zone when Minnesota Wild forwards Mikko Koivu #9, Nino Niederreiter #22, and Matt Cullen #7 came to visit. The afternoon was filled with generous surprises, unforgettable conversations, and inspiring games. The players passed out hats and signed autographs while spending quality time with patients and families.

Child life specialist Stacey Deutsch stated, ”The joy everyone experienced from attending this special event left a permanent smile on my face.”

“Patients are still talking about it and are expressing how honored they felt that these players were able to hang out with them,” added child life specialist Deb Crimmins.

The Zone at Children’s Minnesota is part of the Teammates for Kids Child Life Zone Network of 11 Child Life Zones at pediatric hospitals across the country. Each Zone is utilized by child life specialists, certified professionals who help children and their families cope with difficult medical challenges through therapeutic play, preparation, education, and expressive modalities.